Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

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Shop owners, are you feeling burned out or stuck in the grind? This episode is for you. Shop owners Jimmy Alauria and Dave Kusa dive into how to pause, reflect, and reignite your passion for the business you built.

Key takeaways:

• Think Bigger: Grow your business beyond what you can manage alone—empower your team and expand your vision.

• Evolve as a Leader: Stop being just a manager—step into the CEO role and watch your business thrive.

• Culture Matters: Set the tone, share your dream, and build a positive environment your team can rally around.

• Delegate & Recharge: Offload the hats you wear, hire strategically, and take time off to see the big picture.

• Balance Family & Business: Set boundaries to protect both your shop and your relationships.

The truth? Falling in love with your business again starts with falling in love with your ability to lead it.

Jimmy Alauria, 3A Automotive and Diesel Repair, Phoenix, AZ. Jimmy’s previous episodes HERE

Dave Kusa, AutoTrend Diagnostics in Campbell, CA. Listen to Dave’s other episodes HERE

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Thanks to our Partner, Today’s Class

Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today’s Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/

Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI

Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/

Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty

You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/

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– Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections

– The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

– Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/

– Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

– Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/

– The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

– The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix – Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/

– Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O’Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm

Watch Video Episode HERE

John Gustafson, Gustafson Brothers, Huntington Beach, CA. John’s previous episodes HERE

Dave Kusa, AutoTrend Diagnostics in Campbell, CA. Listen to Dave’s other episodes HERE

John Eppstein, John’s Automotive Care, San Diego, CA. Listen to John’s other episodes HERE

Show Notes:

• California non pretrolium zero emission no sales 2035
• Start working on hybrids- EV is a hybrid without a gas motor
• What are the service opportunities on EVs? Preventative maintenance package, component replacement, and programming.
• Where will you plug your car in? At home? Infrastructure?
• Staying in contact with customers on a consistent basis will be more important than it is now- visit per customer dropping but ARO going up
• Range anxiety
• Fleet average age 12 years old
• Train service advisors- learn the language, get the trust of the EV customers
• As a shop, if you’re not working on hybrids now, you need to start. You need to learn it. You need to get that training because an EV is simply a hybrid without a gas motor for all intents and purposes. If you understand and have experience with the hybrid aspects, the electric side of hybrid vehicles, EVs will just come naturally.

Thanks to our Partners Shop-Ware and Delphi Technologies

Shop-Ware: More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management getshopware.com

Delphi Technologies: Keeping current on the latest vehicle systems and how to repair them is a must for today’s technicians. DelphiAftermarket.com

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How many jobs do your service advisors have? Who covers when you are short-handed? How many technicians per advisor do you have? Are you using technology and systems to a service advisor’s advantage? How clear are your objectives to everyone in the shop? What are some different pay plan options? 

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Dave Schedin, CompuTrek Automotive Management Systems. Dave’s previous episodes HERE

Bryan Kelley, Valley Automotive Repair & Electric, Covington, WA. Bryan’s previous episodes HERE.

Jeff Grassman, Carsmart Auto Service, Sumner, WA. Jeff’s previous episodes HERE

Dave Kusa, owner of AutoTrend Diagnostics in Campbell, CA. Listen to Dave’s other episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points

• Service advisor ranked 5th or 6th most stressful job- how many jobs do your service advisors have? Who covers when you are short-handed? How many techs per advisor?
• Are you using technology and systems to a service advisor’s advantage?
• How clear are your objectives to everyone in the shop?
• Building a model with everyone involved and everyone wins- 360-degree view with transparency with the numbers of the business
• What is your culture? Hiding numbers?
• It is about the money, but it’s not about the money- the incentive is to motivate and not ‘just enough to get by,’ and it has to be customizable based on their level. The plan has to have a direction.
• Ask a mentor, coach, peer
• Incentivizing the behavior- it has to be attainable
• Future for advisors? Self-check in? Will they be needed?
• Other compensations, no weekends? Hours of operation M-F? Lunch break schedule? Vacation time? Medical/dental cost paid by the employer? 
• If you have a family culture, what about the kids or spouse? College fund? Spouse bonus?

Connect with the Podcast

Aftermarket Radio Network

Subscribe on YouTube

Visit us on the Web

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Become an Insider

Buy me a coffee

Important Books

Check out today’s partners:

Shop-Ware: More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management getshopware.com

Delphi Technologies: Keeping current on the latest vehicle systems and how to repair them is a must for today’s technicians. DelphiAftermarket.com

How much do you value your time? Your employee’s time? Are you making your decision on your labor rate based on data? My expert panel breaks down a mathematical and strategic way to understand the labor rate that delivers your profit goal.  To view the charts and presentations my guests have prepared, make sure you head to my carm capriotto youtube channel or find the link on the show notes. Once you see the math your decision to set a profitable labor rate will be smarter and easier.

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Dave Kusa, owner of AutoTrend Diagnostics in Campbell, CA. Listen to Dave’s other episodes HERE.

Bill Haas, Owner of Haas Performance Consulting, Listen to Bill’s previous episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points

• Your labor rate is an expression of how much you value your time.
• Raising my labor rate was the worst decision I ever made. Said no one ever!
• Productivity and profitability per technician
• Make decisions based on data
• Prove that your labor rate is right
• Does your team understand where the money goes? “If you don’t share, they don’t care”

Connect with the Podcast

Aftermarket Radio Network

Subscribe on YouTube

Visit us on the Web

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Become an Insider

Buy me a coffee

Important Books

Check out today’s partners:

More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management getshopware.com

We’ve all heard inflation is up 8%, as of this broadcast, but when you walk through the grocery stores and sit at a restaurant, it sure seems like it’s a lot higher …  don’t you agree? As prices continue to jump, what are we doing as an industry to adjust? And why are so many shop owners worried to raise their labor rates? My panel includes 2 shop owners and an auto shop bookkeeper with a wide-open discussion about labor rates, parts pricing, and even employee retention in the age of rampant inflation.

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Natalie Paris, Three Rivers Bookkeeping, Profit Strategist. Listen to Natalie’s previous episodes HERE 

Dave Kusa, owner of AutoTrend Diagnostics in Campbell, CA. Listen to Dave’s other episodes HERE.

Dustin Brown, Brown Auto Experts, 3 Locations in New Mexico, Albuquerque, Village of Los Ranchos and Rio Rancho. Listen to Dustin’s other episodes HERE

Key Talking Points

• Parts – While parts costs are rising, our parts GP should take care of itself if we are using an effective parts matrix. 55-60%
• Unfounded fear for charging correct amount for parts
• Expenses – Expenses, in general, will jump up.  We need to monitor our expenses and possibly shop them to get the best value.
• Labor Rate Increases: Shop your competitors and monitor how the labor rates in your town are adjusting for inflation. 
• The dealership suggested retail isn’t always what they’re selling to their customers
• “Don’t trip over dollars to make dimes.” when it comes to expenses 
• Employee Retention- This year all office staff received a raise and some of our technicians. We did not give raises to techs that have been with us for less than 6 months. With raising the labor rate, shops should be able to afford to increase technician pay. A recent Gallup study shows that 50% of all employees are thinking about changing jobs. Do not think your shop will be different. “The great reset” instead of “The great recession” Staying on top of retention to prevent turnover is very important in our current labor market. Wages are not the #1 cause of employees changing jobs, but it is a factor to keep in mind with the rising cost of everything. 
• The workforce has 5 generations of people working- how you manage each generation is different
• Other ways that can make employees feel appreciated and help with retention would include fringe benefits or low monetary benefits. Things like more paid time off, tool purchases match, Friday (or once a month) shop paid for lunch or training opportunities to help them advance their careers can be huge.  Another great way is to ask the employees if they have ideas on non-monetary or lower monetary benefits that they would appreciate around the shop.  
• Be careful of ‘profit leakage’ and be transparent with your employees when you do raise your labor rates
• Pay bills with gross profit dollars, not a percentage

Connect with the Podcast

Aftermarket Radio Network

Subscribe on YouTube

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Follow on Facebook

Become an Insider

Buy me a coffee

Important Books

Check out today’s partners:

More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management getshopware.com

See how Broadly can help YOU grow your auto shop. getbroadly.com/chat

John Eppstein, owner of John’s Automotive Care, San Diego CA has been in business since 1998. The business is a complete general automotive repair and a smog test station. John’s Automotive Care has been relocated twice; the last move was in 2003. John has been in the automotive industry since 1985. He is the Immediate Past President of the B & G Clubs of East County where he’s worked since 1996. He is also a member of a local NAPA BOG group. John’s been a member of ASCCA’s Chapter 24 for over 12 years during which time he has served as secretary, vice president and chair of the Meetings Committee. John’s Automotive Care is also currently an ASC Educational Foundation Cars for Careers donation site for San Diego, CA. Listen to John’s other episodes HERE

Dave Kusa is the owner of AutoTrend Diagnostics in Campbell, CA. Dave is very active in Chapter 42 and currently serves as a board member and chapter representative. He has also helped several new shops become ASCCA members. Dave advocates with local legislators on behalf of small businesses and their employees. He contributes to TeamTalk and is a huge resource for members. He was ASCCA’s past president. Look for Dave’s other episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points

• Purpose – Raise funds and money to support and encourage technical education and training for the automotive industry through scholarships, endowments, career development and other industry inspired programs.
• Vehicle donations from customers that go to auction- “cars for careers” Example- transmission/engine repairs. You are able to donate a vehicle  no matter where you are, it’s not limited to only California
• Low overhead- about 75% of the money coming in from the vehicle donation program gets put into funds. Volunteer-based foundation. You don’t need to be a shop owner to be included in the board of trustees (tax advisor, grant writer etc)
• Last year they awarded 28 scholarships to 16 deserving students for a total of $23,500. To date, this is the largest amount awarded in the history of the Foundation.
• Schools involved – community colleges across California such as Cuyamaca College, Skyline College, Rio Hondo College, San Diego Miramar College, Citrus College, Chabot College, UTI
• Vetting process – Scholarships are awarded to students who fill out applications at https://automotivescholarships.com/ all applicants that meet basic requirements are then scored by a panel of automotive professionals and winners are picked from the highest scoring applicants.
• Opportunities to create a scholarship- John has started a scholarship with his business. He will match whatever his employees put into it. There are also one time scholarships for smaller amounts.

Connect with the show:

Aftermarket Radio Network

Subscribe on YouTube

Visit us on the Web

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Become an Insider

Buy me a coffee

Important Books

Check out today’s partner:

Since 1989 TRACS has been the industry’s leading shop management system. And in the last 30 years it’s gotten better and better. Today TRACS Enterprise offers even more of the features AutoCare Center owners want—things like a powerful interactive scheduling calendar, faster and streamlined work flow, plus streamlined parts ordering and purchasing options. And there’s more—Punch-out to Mitchell ProDemand, mobile VIN capture, and multi-shop capabilities. That means you can count on TRACS Enterprise to help drive your success today and well into the future.

Learn more about TRACS Enterprise and the hundreds of other benefits the NAPA family has to offer. Talk with your servicing NAPA store or visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The Panel:

John Eppstein is the owner of John’s Automotive Care in San Diego, CA. He is the incoming ASCCA President. One thing he credits for his success is making his customer his main focus. John was honored as the 2016 NAPA ASE Technician of the year. Hear John in our one on one interview in episode 119, 200 and Academy 003 on the Top Qualities of a Service Advisor. Look for John’s other episodes HERE.

Carolyn Coquillette of Luscious Garage, San Francisco, CA chairs the ASCCA Connected Cars Committee, serves on the ASCCA Board of Directors and is active in her local San Francisco chapter. She’s also the Founder and CEO of Shop-Ware. Look for Carolyn’s other episodes HERE.

Dave Kusa is the owner of AutoTrend Diagnostics in Campbell, CA. Dave is very active in Chapter 42 and currently serves as a board member and chapter representative. He has also helped several new shops become ASCCA members. Dave advocates with local legislators on behalf of small businesses and their employees. He contributes to TeamTalk and is a huge resource for members. He was ASCCA’s past president. Look for Dave’s other episodes HERE.

Rory Balmer of Twin Peaks Auto Service in Twin Peaks is a past ASCCA Chapter 14 President and a past ASCCA Membership Committee Chair. He is the incoming ASCCA Vice-President. Rory is working full-time at his business. He attends De Vry University, where he is completing a BA degree in technical management. He will be attending Washington State University, entering into the Executive MBA program. ASCCA Past President Mary Kemnitz says Rory is “One of the most effective committee members I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He has won the “One Member Can Campaign” twice. He has had a significant impact on the growth and energy within Chapter 14. Look for Rorry’s other episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points:

• California Mandate to sell only new cars being Electric Vehicles in 2035
• We have plenty of time to be trained, learn the technology and change your business plan.
• Electric Vehicles (EV’s) take longer to break.
• EV Repair Orders ( R/O’s) will be higher.
• The industry will transition as EVs become a larger part of the car parc.
• Electric fleets will be able to let vehicles rest and recharge.
• ADAS and Autonomous Vehicles along with EVs are important trends that every shop owner and future shop owners need to pay attention to you
• EV repair could be more modular.
• Hybrids are a great place to start to embrace the future EVs
• A recommendation is to buy a used Gen 2 Prius (2004 – 2009 ). Add it to your loaner fleet, learn all about it, get to training and put up your shingle that you repair the Toyota Prius. You should learn about battery, the inverter and motor. Get inside of it with your scan tool. Let it be your trainer vehicle. You’ll need service information and OE scan tools.
• Keeping the channels open for parts and tooling. ASCCA is fighting for that
• Education for our entire staff with a continual education commitment on all new technology.We need to work with our colleges and high schools to move way from carburetors and into electric drive trains and ADAS
• We will lose the smart bright young people to other industries if we don’t start to introduce all-new technology into our educational system. 
• Every manufacturer is pushing Electric Vehicles.
• Volkswagen is pushing toward an all model Electric Vehicle commitment. VW is the largest vehicle manufacturer in the world.
• In repairing an EV, there is a layer of systems that don’t exist on an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. 
• There is worry that EV cars and the new EV manufacturers will stay at the dealership. It is very expensive to create a dealership network.It is not in the best interest for new manufacturers to set up a dealer network and the independents can be an important part of maintenance and repair for these manufacturers.
• It may be too early to consider working on each manufacturer’s EV models. Tooling up will be very expensive, and access to parts and training will make it too early to rush into this.
• Fuel cell vehicles are also going to grow. More to repair on them.There will be segments of the country that will not see these cars for some time.
• As the future unfolds, embrace the new technology. Learn all about it
• Consumers want you to work on their cars. Embrace every opportunity
• The California mandate for 2035 has manufacturer support and it must open the aftermarkets eyes to embrace EVs The success formula or business model is not there and is a moving target. Keep an open mind.
• Adapt or become obsolete
• Globally manufacturers are committed to EVs. You will not fight it, yet it will have time to prepare. Pay attention to the evolution of the marketplace, new technology and trends.

Resources:

• A special thanks to John Eppstein, Carolyn Coquillette, Dave Kusa, and Rorry Balmer for his contribution to the aftermarket.
• Books Page HERE
• Listen to all Remarkable Results Radio, For The Record and Town Hall Academy episodes.

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This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at getshopware.com

This episode is brought to you buy Shop Marketing Pros. Your guides are Kim and Brian Walker with a rich history as shop owners and industry veterans. When someone searches for a shop, who are they finding? Your competitors? It should be you! The good people over at Shop Marketing Pros know how to drive website traffic and make Google work for you! www.shopmarketingpros.com

Dave Kusa is the owner of AutoTrend Diagnostics in Campbell, CA. Dave is very active in Chapter 42 and currently serves as a board member and chapter representative. He has also helped several new shops become ASCCA members. Dave advocates with local legislators on behalf of small businesses and their employees. He contributes to TeamTalk and is a huge resource for members. He was ASCCA’s past president. Look for Dave’s other episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points:

• Biggest trend you are watching?ADAS- repair, calibrate, training for it
• Governor of California is trying mandating no petroleum-powered vehicle sold by 2035
• How did you decide to become a shop owner?From a young age, I loved being able to take things apart and put back together and enjoyed working with his hands and vehicles. My goal in high school was to be a shop owner. 
• Do you still have the fire you had when you first started?No, but it’s not a bad thing. When you first start anything there is a new sense of enthusiasm, discovering new things and new problems. As time goes on you become wiser and can handle situations better. Wisdom “quiets” the fire but the fire is still burning.   
• Was there a key turning point in your journey that made all the difference to get you where you are today?Parents and their friends were starting to retire and move away. Dave also wants to be able to successfully retire and be able to financially stay or leave if he chooses.  
• Ever had a mentor?Yes, many mentors! Important to seek out people that have ‘been there, done that.’ Can’t think you are by yourself and on an island. There are so many people willing to help and want to help.   
• Do you have a strong intuition? Do you listen to it?Yes, always listen to your gut feeling. A strong intuition is needed to make quick decisions.  
• Get any great advice that you still follow today?Mentor Larry Moore says “Get training and learn how to run a business and Larry always said “Everything I know, I stole from someone else.” Circles back to mentorship, people are willing to help.  
• Name something you tried that didn’t work?Originally I was going to buy a shop with former coworkers as partners, turned into a disaster, and didn’t go through but it was good that it didn’t. 
• How do you manage work/life harmony?Wanted to be a present father to his two daughters and husband to his wife, structured himself to be 8 am-5 pm Monday- Friday schedule and they make it work as a family.  
• How does one start to build a strong business culture?Starts with the business owner- Need to know what your moral ethics are and communicate that to your employees and most importantly follow it.  
• Strong teams always win. What is your winning formula in developing a strong team?Culture- contribute and collaborate as a team. Include people in decisions 
• Would your organization crumble if you stepped aside?Is often out of the shop for the entire day or 2-3 days for coaching purposes, has a strong team for day-to-day operations without him. Working towards having someone being able to handle administrative paperwork if he was out of the shop for an extended period of time. 
• What impact will technology have on your business?Significant impact- ADAS, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, where is the service opportunity in an electric vehicle?
• How much training per year do you get?Constant training- works with a coach twice a month and learns while working as a coach along with training with ASCCA   
• Technicians in the shop get 12 hours of training per quarter
• A big secret to building a strong relationship with Customers?Communication- most customers don’t understand what other shops/dealerships are exactly quoting/invoicing for repairs, especially when it is a high quote. Have conversations with new and existing clients in terms they can understand. Invoices using $1 per word. If the invoice is $1,000 then there are 1,000 words explaining what the invoice is for.   
• A secret to a good job interview?Conduct interviews as a team. Everyone should be comfortable and be able to maintain the team culture. 
• Share a Gross Margin HackCalifornia cant charge for shop supplies- starts adding up, including on invoice. Monitoring parts matrix and labor matrix and margins.   
• Do you share your financial statements with your team? If Yes, why?Yes, there is a known shop hourly rate along with an understanding of profit and loss statements and expenses of the business. Employees have an ownership mentality then.    
• How long ago did you update your website? Yearly updates
• The most recent update to your processes/system Hours per RO- identify time-wasting

Resources:

• Thanks to Dave Kusa for his contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
• Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page, highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
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NAPA AutoCare’s PROimage program makes it easy for you to make the most of the NAPA brand. A PROimage upgrade lets you maintain your shop’s identity as a reliable, locally-owned business while letting your customers and potential customers know you’re partnering with NAPA, the most recognized and trusted name in the automotive aftermarket. AutoCare Centers that have completed a PROimage exterior upgrade enjoy an average 23 percent sales increase during the first year. You can also choose to go PROimage on the interior and transform your customer waiting area from merely utilitarian to warm and welcoming. You can even get a free look by visiting www.NAPAAutoCare.com and clicking on the NAPA PROimage link under the NAPA PROimage tab. Of course, the AutoCare site is also the place to go to find out about all the advantages being part of the NAPA family has to offer.

Learn more about NAPA PROimage and the hundreds of other benefits NAPA offers. visit the NAPA Benefits Center at www.napabenefitscenter.com or call the NAPA Benefits Center at 844-627-2123.

The Panel:

Carolyn Coquillette of Luscious Garage, San Francisco, CA chairs the ASCCA Connected Cars Committee, serves on the ASCCA Board of Directors and is active in her local San Francisco chapter. She’s also the Founder and CEO of Shop-Ware.  Look for Carolyn’s other episodes HERE.

Dave Kusa is the owner of AutoTrend Diagnostics in Campbell, CA. Dave is very active in Chapter 42 and currently serves as a board member and chapter representative. He has also helped several new shops become ASCCA members. Dave advocates with local legislators on behalf of small businesses and their employees. He contributes to TeamTalk and is a huge resource for members. He was ASCCA’s past president. Look for Dave’s other episodes HERE.

Niko Sougias and his sister Julia work side by side with Charlie and Shelly to carry on the family tradition of Charlie’s Foreign Car Service, one of Downtown Encinitas’s most successful and enduring local businesses. Niko purchased the shop from his father 3 years ago. Charlie’s Foreign Car is a BOSCH service center. Niko is a member of ASCCA and sits on the connected car committee. Niko is a newly appointed BOSCH Car Council member. Also an Encinitas Rotarian. He is Married with 2 kids. Niko now operates the shop with 7 technicians, 3 service advisors, and a parts manager. Look for Niko’s other episodes HERE.

About ASCCA’s Connected Cars Committee

ASCCA’s Connected Cars Committee was established August 1st, 2017 with the mission to “protect the ability of ASCCA membership to do business in California, including safe, secure, and uninterrupted access to vehicle onboard systems and the required tools to fix them.”

Committee members are also active in:

• National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF)
• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
• California Automotive Wholesalers Association (CAWA)
• Auto Care Association (ACA)
• Auto Service Association (ASA)
• ASCCA Government Affairs Committee

Connected Cars Committee Objectives

Membership Support: The Connected Car Committee supports ASCCA membership, providing:

• news and analysis of the trends in “connected” cars (telematics and autonomy e.g.)
• resources for information and training
• guidance on best practices

Partner Collaboration: The Connected Car Committee will work with ASCCA partners, providing:

• feedback to partners on “connected” issues as they pertain to California
• representation in partner advocacy nationwide
• participation in “connected” related events across the Aftermarket

Government Support: The Connected Car Committee will support the ASCCA Government Affairs

The committee, providing:

• coordination on “connected” issues; at least one current member on both committees
• a dedicated mouthpiece (for members and partners) regarding “connected” issues
• immediate updates on “connected” issues that may be relevant to legislation.

Key Talking Points:

• ASCCA Team Weekend -Reassurance and clarity after learning more about the changing cars in the industry
  • Keynote speaker Fred Gruner- Principal Engineer at NVIDIA
    • Any decision a person makes in less than a second a machine and robot can do it. But human brain compared to supercomputer can still out compute it
    • Autonomous cars can learn
    • How do you operate autonomous vehicles safely? Functional safety- A situation with the absence of unacceptable risk.
    • Can you repair autonomous cars? Yes
    • Security of autonomous cars will be elevated- Need to be prepared with credentials in order to access cars  
  • What’s next?
    • Stay ahead of curve- continual learning and being ready for autonomous cars
    • “Adapt or become obsolete”
    • Get involved with organizations and associations

Resources Mentioned:

• ASCCA Connected Cars Webpage HERE
• Luscious Garage Webpage HERE
• Autotrend Diagnostics Webpage HERE.
• Charlie’s Foreign Car Webpage HERE.

Thanks to Carolyn Carolyn Coquillette, Dave Kusa and Niko Sougias for their contribution to this podcast.

Leaders are Readers. Go the BOOKS page on the website.

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This episode is brought to you by Federal-MogulMotorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com

Pictured Above, Tony Molla, Dave Kusa and Dana Cozby.

Recorded at Vision KC 2018, the panel makes a great case for the value of association membership. They say that working together, networking, training and solving the industries challenges are all the right reasons to become a member of your regional or national aftermarket association.

The panel:

Industry veteran Tony Molla, Vice President of ASA (Automotive Service Association) has over 35 years’ experience in the automotive service industry. He has held positions at all levels, including technician, service manager, parts store manager, new car sales and automotive technical editor, writing service manuals for the Chilton Book Company. He has authored more than a dozen technical and car care manuals for both professional technicians and consumers.

Prior to joining ASA in May 2015, Tony spent fifteen years as the Vice President, Communications for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). He also spent nine years as the Editorial Director of Motor Age magazine and Automotive Body Repair News (ABRN).

He is an ASE certified automotive technician, past president of the Automotive Communications Council, and a regular presenter and moderator at many industry events annually. Listen to Tony’s previous episodes HERE.

Dave Kusa, President of Autotrend Diagnostics in San Francisco, CA has been an area resident for more than 30 years. Dave became the owner in 2001.

Dave has been in the auto repair industry for more than 20 years, and he holds two degrees in automotive technology from De Anza College in Cupertino. Today, he runs Autotrend Diagnostics alongside his wife, Judy, and daughters, Katie and Kristi. Listen to Dave’s previous episodes HERE.

Dana Cozby, ASA Membership Director at the Automotive Service Association.

Talking Points:

• Cell phone providers signed up more vehicles than smartphone into their ranks this past year.
• Association dues structure would be much higher if they did not have support from vendors that bring services for the members. Which is the reason to support association vendors.
• Current association members are the best recruiters. Tell a friend and share the value from your association.
• Associations are finding new ways to reach out and communicate with their members.
• Associations have partners that can help with:
  • Uniforms.
  • Parts programs.
  • Warranties.
  • Insurance.
  • Website.
  • Wage and hour issues.
  • All aspects to help run a great repair business.
• Legislative support.
  • If your interests are not at the table, they are probably on the table.
  • Legislative support is one of the most important roles of associations.
  • Legislators are not expert in everything and unless industry chimes in, special interest groups will push through their issue(s).
• Networking at meetings is one of the most important business-changing opportunities you can ever receive.
• The government will get involved.
• Association membership helps improve your ‘future think’ so you can align your business for tomorrow.
• Associations make it easier to run your business because you will have resources to help you.
• For the majority of members, their dues come back to them completely based on participation in endorsed programs. Many time the dues ROI is more than doubled and sometimes even triple payback.
• PMVI discussion (Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection). Only 15 states have them and legislatures keep eliminating them.
• Automotive repair would look very different today if associations weren’t fighting legislative battles in the last 15+ years.

Automotive Service Association (ASA) website (asashop.org)

Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA) website (ascca.com)

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:
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This episode is brought to you by Federal-MogulMotorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com

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Talking Points:

• A budget keeps you in a spending parameter
• Working with a business coach has helped grow net profit
  • Business coach brings accountability
• Expense control is a team effort
• Be careful on shop supply leakage
• Return on Effort is as important as Return on Investment
  • Are we making the most use of our time as an owner. Are we delegating certain tasks that allow us to spend our time on owner tasks
• When is an expense not an expense?
• Community networking helps build relationships with local businesses that can help you in the future. Roofer, plumber, electrician, landscaper etc.

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I attended the ASA Automotive Service Association, Connected CARS  (Congress of Automotive Repair & Service) event in Detroit on May 18th & 19th, 2017.  It was a very informative event organized by former ASA Chairman and shop owner Donny Seyfer, who brought industry trainers, automotive engineers and service professionals from all parts of North-America to learn about rapidly advancing vehicle technology.

All attendees got an important glimpse into the world of the connected car with in-depth and detailed looks at ADAS, Next Gen Vehicle Networks, V2V and the future of diagnostics.

Safety is one of the driving forces behind ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). The two-day seminar brought some of the top tech trainers to bring a deeper understanding of how these systems function and what it takes to diagnose, repair and calibrate them today and in the not too distant future.

Listen to an in-studio round table debate along with a ‘man in the street’ interview segment that was recorded at the first night reception. In all, you’ll hear contributions from seventeen of your industry peers in this episode.

You will hear discussions on the course content, personal thoughts on this new technology, new business models and the opportunities that modern technology creates for progressive operators among many more hot and trending talking points.

I’m happy to bring you the pulse of this event. Training events like this must be part of your future. Keep an eye out for the exciting ASA programs being presented for you at AAPEX 2017. ASA-CARS.com

Presentations from:

• Dave Hobbs, Delphi, Radar, Lidar, Sonar and camera-based sensors
• Greg Potter, ETI, and Bob Gruszczynski, VW, scan-tool protocols
• Debra Bezinna, Ann Arbor Connected Vehicle Test Environment, University of Michigan . Debra was interviewed by ASA’s Washingon, DC rep Robert L. Redding Jr. She spoke on V2V Communication
• Jason Ross, Volkswagen, driver-assist systems
• Scott Bolt, Mahle, new vehicle network architecture
• Tarek Taleb, GM, CAN network diagnosis software
• Mohan Sethi, Mahle Aftermarket, secure diagnostics
• Jim Luyckx from Snap-on presented diagnostics by thermal imaging
• Steve Zach, Bosch, ADAS calibration and alignment

Dan Risley, ASA president and executive director, said about the inaugural event, “ASA is committed to providing industry-leading technology and telematics programs to our members and the industry. This program is a first of its kind. Attendees left armed with more knowledge and information on the most current and future ADAS technology than the 90 percent of those repairing vehicles in automotive industry today!”

“Comments and enthusiasm from Connected CARS attendees and presenters exceeded my expectations,” said event organizer Donny Seyfer. “The presentations were spot-on. I’m not sure who was more impressive – our presenters or their audience. But I do know this was an amazing technical networking opportunity.”

List of who was in this episode:

Round Table Studio Interview:
Dan Risley
Frank Leutz
Greg Buckley
Bill Nalu
Joe Hanson
Jeff Buckley
Joe Register
Ray Fisher

Reception ‘Man In Street Interviews’
Donny Seyfer
Pete Rudloff
Dave Kusa
Greg Potter
Tom Piippo
Bob Wills
Greg Buckley
Carolyn Coquillette
Eric Carlson
Frank Leutz
Ray Fisher
Bill Nalu
Craig O’Neill

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

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This episode is brought to you by Federal-Mogul Motorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com

Dave Kusa, President of Autotrend Diagnostics in San Francisco, CA has been a area resident for more than 30 years. Dave became the owner in 2001, two years after he began working at the shop.

Dave has been in the auto repair industry for more than 20 years, and he holds two degrees in automotive technology from De Anza College in Cupertino. Today, he runs Autotrend Diagnostics alongside his wife, Judy, and daughters, Katie and Kristi.

ASCCA
Dave is the in-coming president of ASCCA (Automotive Service Councils of California) and we talk about some of the legislative challenges that have faced the California service professional.

Training
Kusa and his technicians regularly attend training seminars to update their knowledge and abilities in the ever advancing field of automotive repair and service. This diligent professionalism allows Autotrend Diagnostics to back all its ASE Certified repairs with a 36-Month/36,000 Mile Warranty on parts and labor. Dave speaks of how he manages this extended warranty.

Communicating with customers.
In addition, Autotrend Diagnostics goal is to educate all customers about the importance of a preventative approach to auto repair, a proven way to save thousands of dollars over the life of each vehicle in a household. Dave and his staff carry that education beyond preventative services, too, and strive to make sure that every customer makes an informed decision about their car’s repairs.

Reasons to listen:

Find out how much reliance Dave places on building customer relations and home town value in a city of 2.5 million people.

Understand that he believes their great internet reviews come from their strategy on good customer communications.

If you are looking for great insight or advice on the need for business training, Dave will explain to you his biggest learning curve.

Autotrend Diagnostics website here

Autotrend Diagnostics is a Diamond Certified company. See status here.

Autotrend Diagnostics Overview

This episode is brought to you by Federal-Mogul Motorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com